Jodhpur to Jaisalmer journey – The direction board indicates Tanot Mata Temple distance, and I decided to tour.

The next day early morning 10:20 we drive towards the temple via hired cab if not Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike. Driving solo in a remote area may be troublesome if the Tyre gets punctured. Windmills on both sides of the road were very impressive by Suzlon as we drove. I remember somewhere within Maharashtra maybe near Pune I saw a few windmills but was far from the road unable to watch closely and today I am driving very close to windmills – Hundreds in numbers.

JAL HAI TO KAL HAI

SAVE WATER

Border Roads Organisation important written message. Water is precious – we agree. Water bottles must be for this tour. Traffic is less. More we drive further less vegetation and less population only sand and dune on both sides of the road. To drive within barren land, I had in dreams. Dream fulfilled. ‘Road’ – starring Vivek Oberoi, Antara Mali, and Manoj Bajpai few scenes within the movie was also shot within similar road condition – rewind memories as we drive. The drive will be remembered always. Will say – if you are visiting Jaisalmer you should visit Tanot to experience the desert where the only road is man-made rest is natural.

The driver parks the cab in front of Ghantayali Mata temple.

Jaisalmer to Ghantayali Mata Temple distance is approx. 117 kms.

Total travel/journey time from Jaisalmer to Ghantayali Mata Temple is 2 hours approx.

Tanot is a little far. We first stop here and then at Tanot temple – said the driver.

Summer: 4:30 am to 10:00 pm

Winter: 5:00 am to 9:30 pm

Hawan (holy ritual) – Thursday

On summer days the area must be very hot and in winter very cold nights because all around as far as I can see is dune and sand. Living within such conditions is brave. After prayers, donation the wish was to know more about the temple. The priest of the temple directed us toward a close-by location.

Broken idols and writings mentioning the miracle of the Goddess during the 1965 war. Pakistan army men fired at their own army men believing as enemies. They became blind when they tried to open Goddess jewelry. They killed each other when a few of their army men tried to stop others to break idols. And the story of Ghantayali mata – a boy saw the miracles of mata at this very place.

After reading and prayers, we re-started the journey further towards Tanot. A six km drive cab was parked.

Jaisalmer City to Tanot Mata Temple distance is 123 km approx.

Total journey/travel time from Jaisalmer to Tanot Mata Temple – 2 hours 20 minutes approx.

ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU,

ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

Quote by John F. Kennedy welcomes you. We walk towards the temple remembering Wagah Border (Amritsar) ceremony saw a few years ago.

Bhagwati Shree Aawd Devi (Mata Tanot Rai) was born on Tuesday 808 Vikram Samvat (year 752) as the first daughter of Mamdiya Ji resident of Chelak. She showed many miracles and was also known as Nagnechi, Kale Dungar Rai, Bhojasari, Degrai.

847 Vikram Samvat Tanot last ruler King Bhati Tanurao laid the foundation of Tanot and 888 Vikram Samvat Tanot Fort and Tanot temple foundation was laid.

India – Pakistan 1965 war Pakistan dropped about three thousand shells within this area near the temple and about 450 shells were dropped within the temple area but due to divine power all shells went blind and no damage was done. Goddess blessings again in the year 1971 soldiers fought bravely against the Pakistan army’s sudden attack in Longewala and destroy Pakistan tanks, and vehicles and won the battle.

Mata Shree Tanot Rai is having special importance for the army, villagers, and devotees. The temple is the crown of Jaisalmer situated at Tanot Village – the old capital of Bhati Rajputs.

A small museum displaying unexploded shells dropped by the Pakistan army during war mentions miracles of Goddess Shree Tanot and photographs from the war field. And

• BADA VYAKTI USE KAHA JATA HAI, JO CHOTA SE CHOTA BAN SAKE

• KISI KO BHI DUKH DIYE BINA JO KUCH KIYA JATA HAI WOH PRAGATI KEHLATI HAI

And many more..

Prayers and donations. A memorial at the temple entrance with details about the 17 – 19 November 1965 Tanot war. I inquire – visiting the border possible? Closed nowadays for civilians – said, the army man.

Anyways, the tour is a mixture of three subjects: Nature, the Temple, and devotion.

I was hungry. A small canteen run by an army man nearby. Tea and bread pakora we had. Very less tourists present maybe conveyance an issue. While returning I saw vultures and a few mud houses situated within barren land. Tough weather conditions but a home is a home.